SynthèseThe project 'Material and Techniques for Cooperative Management Training' (MATCOM) was launched in 1978 by the International Labour Office. The project developed universal cooperative management training material, which was put at the disposal of national cooperative movements and development partners, who could then prepare local versions.

Until its termination in 1993, the project published training manuals and learning manuals in English, many of which were translated into French, Spanish and Portuguese. These manuals covered the main types of cooperatives as well as all major topics of cooperative management. Much of this material has been adapted to local conditions and translated into more than 60 national languages. The material continues to be used throughout the world by cooperative HRD institutions, NGOs and development partners. During the project's existence, MATCOM activities were supported by a global network of MATCOM liaison officers who contributed to the design, field testing and dissemination of the material.

Since many manuals and learning elements are now out of print, the ILO Cooperative Branch has decided to convert the material into electronic format so that the broader public can use it. We encourage the production of national versions of the MATCOM training series under the condition that the ILO Publications Bureau has authorized the adaptation.

The ILO is grateful to the Governments of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden which have financed the MATCOM project between 1978 and 1993, and to the Government of Italy which provided funds for the production of the present compact disc.